How to Add a Picture on Instant Messaging

It is becoming increasingly common for Internet users to chat with friends online using one of many available instant messaging clients. Web portals such as Yahoo and AOL typically offer such applications. In addition to typing messages to each other, users can transfer audio, video and photo files to the person with whom they are chatting. To ensure that the recipient is able to access a file, familiarize yourself with the correct way of conducting file transfers using instant messaging applications.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Begin a conversation with one of the people in your contact list who is currently online. These contacts will appear in the "Online" category or have an "Active" icon next to its name. Double click on the display name to begin chatting with that contact. A separate chat window will now appear on the screen.

2. Select the option that allows you to upload an image to your message. Some instant messaging clients allow you to drag and drop selected files from your library to the messaging window; others require users to click on the "Send Files" or paperclip icon in the messaging window. If your messaging client uses the latter method, a screen allowing you to browse the files stored on your computer will appear. Select the picture file you wish to send to the recipient. Highlight the file name and click "Open" or simply doubleclick on the file name to begin uploading it to the message.

3. Wait until the file location and/or name appears in the messaging window. Click "Send." You may be asked to click "OK" in order to confirm that you wish to send the picture file.

4. Track the status of the picture file transfer by consulting the progress bar, which will appear in the field that displays the conversation. On some instant messaging clients, the recipient must first select the "Accept" option before the file transfer can begin.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use this uploading method to make one of the picture files from your computer into your instant messaging display picture. Facilitate file transfers by opting for a high-speed, as opposed to dial-up, Internet connection.

References

• File Transfers
• Slow File Transfers